Azkals can win a SEAG medal, says POC chief

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. believes that the national men's football team popularly known as the Azkals can win a medal in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Indonesia this November. Cojuangco gave this assessment after the Azkals' 2-0 win over Mongolia Wednesday night at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers' first leg. The Philippine national men's team has not participated in the SEA Games football competition, an under-23 tournament, since the 2005 edition of the biennial meet in the Philippines, but Cojuangco said with the way things are going, a medal – of any color – is a possibility. "Lalaro at lalaro na tayo talaga sa Southeast Asian Games. Sa tingin ko, kapag ganito ang pinapakita natin ay mag-memedalya na tayo (We can now play in the SEA Games. The way I see it, if we play like this we can win a medal)," said Cojuangco, who witnessed the game in Bacolod along with other sports officials, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia. The Philippines placed fourth in the 1991 SEA Games football competition, the country's best finish so far. The Philippines defeated Malaysia, 1-0, in the group stages to advance to the semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium. The PHL XI, however, suffered a 6-2 defeat to Thailand in the Final Four, then a 2-0 setback against Singapore in their bronze medal match. Cojuangco said the Azkals can play even better given more time to train. “They are good but they need to play together more. Give them time and they’ll even play better." He added that the POC and PSC should step aside and allow the national team's program to take its course to further develop the sport in the country. "They are doing well on their own. We can help them but its better if we don’t interfere with them." PNoy gives P3M for Azkals
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV After failing to witness first hand the Azkals’ thrilling 2-0 win over Mongolia last Wednesday, President Noynoy Aquino released P3 million from his Social Fund for the team’s organizational needs. "We are grateful for his (President Noynoy Aquino) support of the Azkals and Philippine football, which should inspire our boys to play their best in front of our countrymen," said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta Jr. The team visited the President in Malacañang when they got back in Manila on Thursday. – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV